The Man Who Would Be King

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The Man Who Would Be King

What's it About

Based on a late nineteenth century tale by Rudyard Kipling, British sergeants Daniel Dravot (Connery) and Peachy Carnehan (Caine) are tired of soldiering, and it seems their ungrateful country has tired of them. They find themselves without prospects in India, and resolve on a daring plan: they will travel to remotest Kafiristan in search of untold riches. Once there, the two con the natives into believing that Danny is a god, and their mission is accomplished... so as long as the populace never learns their king is mortal.

Why we love it

Director Huston had wanted to do this project for years (originally with Gable and Bogart), but only got the chance in the mid-seventies. It's hard to think of better casting for the two rogue adventurers than Connery and Caine, whose real-life friendship helped spark a genuine, often amusing on-screen chemistry. A deft combination of humor and suspense, the film's climax is unforgettable. Plummer lends solid support as author Kipling. A later Huston treasure-trove.

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